MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) – Manhattan football is used to high expectations. Now, as the reigning state champion, those expectations will be even higher.
“It’s tough,” head coach Joe Schartz said about managing pressure as a program. “That leadership comes from our senior group every year. You just hope that when they were sophomores and juniors that they paid attention to the seniors before them, and learned from them. It’s a work in progress.”
The Tribe ran the table last fall following an Oct. 10 loss to Wichita Northwest. Manhattan won its final seven games, three of which were shutouts, including in the Class 6A state title game.
“If we have a bad day, DMGB is one of our sayings,” senior lineman Charter Simar said. “It’s Doesn’t Matter, Get Better. We just focus on the next play and what’s next, and go out and give it our all.”
The Tribe takes on Rockhurst at Bishop Stadium to start the season Sept. 4.
Copyright 2026 WIBW. All rights reserved.